TFH 5/1: Diamond Greatness in 1991

Today, Their Finest Hour is taking a brief break from our chronicle of military heroes to honor greatness from the world of sports. I'm a baseball fan. I don't get to as many games as I'd like to, and while I have my favorite team (the Yankees, naturally!), it's great just to go to a game no matter who is playing!

On May 1, 1991 two amazing events happened in Major League Baseball history in different games, both featured one of the true all-time greats of the game.

TFH 10/15: The Natural

Twenty years ago today...



In 1988, I had a bitter pill as a Yankee fan to swallow. The ALCS had been the Oakland Athletics (couldn't stand them) vs. the Boston Red Sox (well, there's only one situation where I can like them, and this wasn't it). The NLCS was the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the Mets (both arch enemies of my Yankees; one traditional, one inborn - you can't like both).

Well, the Dodgers beat the Mets, and the Athletics beat the Red Sox. Since I still couldn't stand Oakland (even though they dropped Boston) and the Dodgers sent the hated Mets packing, that put this Yankee fan in Dodger blue.

Down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, one runner in scoring position, two strikes, the best closer of the day - Dennis Eckersley - on the mound. At the plate an injured, hobbled slugger who wasn't thought even able to stand the pain enough to get his uniform on much less pinch hit with everything on the line...HOME RUN TO RIGHT! Dodgers 5, Athletics 4.

Could one home run in the first game of the World Series clinch a championship? I say, yes!

Kirk Gibson, October 15, 1988 was your finest hour!

TFH 10/1: 61 in '61 - Roger Maris

On October 1, 1961 at Yankee Stadium Roger Maris hit his 61st home run of the season to break Babe Ruth's single season record! A great moment in both Yankees and baseball history!

Roger Maris, this day was your finest hour!

Farewell to my Green Cathedral

Last night, the New York Yankees (barring a miracle playoff berth) closed the doors and turned off the lights to the House that Ruth Built.

I almost couldn't watch the coverage last night because, as a life long Yankee fan, it saddened me deeply that I wasn't there last night and that I also couldn't swing getting to at least one Yankee home game this year to bid the venue at 161st Street and River Avenue a farewell, as well as bring my two children to a place that was such a part of my youth.

The first game I attended in 1977 Thurman Munson blasted two home runs. I remember the most amazing home run (wicked line drive into Monument Park) and most amazing throw (385-foot sign in right-center to home, no cut-off) I've ever seen, both courtesy of Dave Winfield. I remember the shock of a sellout crowd at seeing the best player I ever saw - Don Mattingly - drop an infield pop-up.

I remember all those Old Timers' Days watching and cheering at the top of my lungs when Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio came out of the dugout to tip their caps. I remember the Sunday double-headers, and the mid-week Twi-Nights. I remember a game where I said matter of factly to my mother, grandmother, and the other regulars in our section: "Here's what's going to happen: they're going to intentionally walk Winfield to load the bases, bring in a right handed pitcher to face Jack Clark, Jose Cruz will pinch hit and he'll hit a grand slam home run." - and that's exactly what transpired!

Today, I remember being just a kid again, watching my baseball heroes - all of them: Donnie Baseball, Dave Winfield, Ron Guidry, Dave Righetti, Willie Randolph, Bobby Murcer, Graig Nettles, Mike Pagliarulo, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Tommy John, etc., etc., etc. - win over and over and over...the losses I forget, nor do they matter.

I remember dreaming that one day I'd be playing second base on that wonderful field, my lack of hitting ability nonwithstanding.

It's time. Yankee Stadium's day has passed and it's up to Derek, Alex, Mariano, and the rest to build a new tradition at the Bronx Bombers' new home right next door. The monuments to Yankee greats will be moved with the team, but Yankee Stadium will always be a monument in my heart to my love of baseball.

Thanks for the memories. Wish I was twelve again with not a care in the world, nor a want more than to go to another Yankee home game at this storied place.

"Some days you win..."

"...some days you lose, and some days, it rains."

Thus was the story of the New York Yankees yesterday. Rain in the Bronx postponed the Yanks' first game until tonight.

The Pirates looked like they were going to be well, the Pirates, when they blew a five-run lead in the bottom of the ninth against Atlanta, but managed to win 12-11 in 12 innings, after almost blowing the lead again.

Who will stop the Pittsburgh juggernaut? The Pirates are on pace to score 1,944 runs this year!

Play Ball!

The first full day of the Major League Baseball season is today. HOORAY! I'll be listening in on the Yankees hosting the Blue Jays this afternoon as the final season of the House that Ruth Built gets underway.

My Yankees prediction: 90-72, AL Wild Card

Looks like the Yankees get 3 extra home games

Just tried to get tickets for the Yankees coming to Pittsburgh on June 24-26. Got tickets to the June 24 game, but the other two sold out before I could get them too. Considering what tickets at PNC Park are vs. Yankee Stadium, there'll be a whole bunch of out-of-town Yankee fans there I'm sure.

Congratulations Andy Pettite; Yanks still on the move!

Andy Pettite racked up his 200th career win last night against Baltimore. Toronto obliged by beating Boston again. The Yankees are now just 1.5 games back of the Red Sox with a game at hand.

If I was the Red Sox, I'd be hoping that Detroit doesn't turn it around. Here's to hoping the Red Sox collapse is complete - they go 2-7 over their last nine, the Tigers post a 7-2 or better, and either they have to have a playoff or the Tigers chuck them out of the post-season outright!

Here Come the Yankees!

After drubbing the Orioles last night 12-0 - and Boston losing to Toronto - the Yankees are just 2.5 games back!

BOS: 90-62, 10 games remaining
NYY: 87-64, 11 games remaining

2.5 back with a game at hand? Forget the wild card baby, Yanks will take the division! Echoes of 1978 all around...

TFH 8/25: Warner Robins (GA) Little League

The Little League World Series has been won by the US team from Warner Robins, Georgia on a solo, walk-off home run in extra innings by 12-year old Dalton Carriker!

Congratulations to Dalton and his teammates! For your short lives so far, it was your finest hour!

TFH 8/22: An Addendum

The Baltimore Orioles, playing a home game against the Texas Rangers scored the first three runs...and then proceeded to lose the game, 30-3! That is not a typo. The Texas Rangers scored thirty runs! WOW!

The Sweep is Complete!

So ends the Boston Massacre 2006:

Last night 8-5
Today 2-1

GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!

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The Boston Massacre, 2006

Yankees win, Yankees win, ttttthhhhheeee YANKEES WIN!

12-4 & 14-11 yesterday, 13-5 today. Three down, two to go. Considering how the Yankees have been able to work over the Boston bullpen, I wouldn't bet against the five game sweep.

One good item from the game was there was a Peter Gammons sighting - glad to hear he's well on the mend.

The New Yankee Stadium

Ground has been broken for the new home of my beloved New York Yankees. For the longest time, I was completely opposed to the Bronx Bombers ever leaving "the House that Ruth Built." Once I had been to several of the newer ballparks, including what many say the finest of the new, PNC Park, I started coming around to reality. Given the artist's impressions of what the new park will look like, all I can say is "PLAY BALL!"

I'll never forget the current Yankee Stadium. From the first game I went to (don't remember much, except Thurman Munson hit two home runs), to Mattingly and Winfield, to the greatest standing ovations for Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio on Old Timers' Days, it's been the place for baseball in my mind.

Here's to what could someday be known as "the House that Jeter, A-Rod, and Rivera Built". See you at the ballpark in 2009!